Activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington.Activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington.Activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 12 wins & 67 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFellow Civil Rights leader Julian Bond often quoted Bayard Rustin as joking that "Martin Luther King couldn't organize vampires to go to a bloodbath," meaning that despite King's enormous gifts as a leader and an orator, King needed Rustin's and others' help with the organizational aspects of the movement.
- GoofsSeveral times, there is a reference to the subway in DC. The subway system there wasn't built until 1976.
- Quotes
Bayard Rustin: On the day that I was born black, I was also born a homosexual. They either believe in freedom and justice for all, or they do not.
- ConnectionsFeatured in CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley: Episode #45.56 (2023)
- SoundtracksShotgun
Written by Junior Walker (as Autry DeWalt)
Performed by Jr. Walker and the All Stars (as Junior Walker and the Allstars)
Courtesy of Motown/Universal
Featured review
Begs for more on why Rustin was so important to Martin Luther King Jr.
It's a narrowly focused biopic on Bayard Rustin's (Colman Domingo) lead role in planning the famous 1963 March of Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The film opens with scant background about the Civil Rights movement, Rustin's friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen), and the subsequent temporary break in their relationship in 1960 when rumors surface about a possible sexual relationship because of Rustin's known homosexuality.
The bulk of the movie then shifts to Rustin's drive in 1963 to make the March on Washington happen despite the resistance of some Civil Rights leaders like Roy Wilkins (Chris Rock) and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Jeffrey Wright). "Rustin" also highlights the complexities caused in that era because of Rustin's relationships with his assistant, Tom Kahn (Gus Halper), and a married minister, Elias Taylor (Johnny Ramey). Many prominent Civil Rights and union leaders appear briefly as characters in the film.
"Rustin" is a brave attempt to honor an often-forgotten Civil Rights leader. Colman Domingo is excellent. He portrays a gifted, extroverted organizer who is unapologetic about his sexuality but recognizes the danger his orientation presents to the movement. Ameen, Rock, and Wright are also good in their roles, as is CCH Pounder as labor organizer Anna Hedgeman.
"Rustin" begs for more background on why Rustin was so important to Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin, a Quaker pacifist, had an enormous impact on King's emerging philosophy of non-violent resistance. This impact is inadequately addressed. Also, more history on Rustin's philosophical development, marginally hinted at in a few flashbacks, would have strengthened the story.
Nonetheless, "Rustin" is worth an evening's watch.
The bulk of the movie then shifts to Rustin's drive in 1963 to make the March on Washington happen despite the resistance of some Civil Rights leaders like Roy Wilkins (Chris Rock) and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Jeffrey Wright). "Rustin" also highlights the complexities caused in that era because of Rustin's relationships with his assistant, Tom Kahn (Gus Halper), and a married minister, Elias Taylor (Johnny Ramey). Many prominent Civil Rights and union leaders appear briefly as characters in the film.
"Rustin" is a brave attempt to honor an often-forgotten Civil Rights leader. Colman Domingo is excellent. He portrays a gifted, extroverted organizer who is unapologetic about his sexuality but recognizes the danger his orientation presents to the movement. Ameen, Rock, and Wright are also good in their roles, as is CCH Pounder as labor organizer Anna Hedgeman.
"Rustin" begs for more background on why Rustin was so important to Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin, a Quaker pacifist, had an enormous impact on King's emerging philosophy of non-violent resistance. This impact is inadequately addressed. Also, more history on Rustin's philosophical development, marginally hinted at in a few flashbacks, would have strengthened the story.
Nonetheless, "Rustin" is worth an evening's watch.
helpful•111
- steiner-sam
- Dec 13, 2023
- How long is Rustin?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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